Wanaka the winner as cyclist and coach set to run clinics

Wanaka's cycling fraternity is in luck now former Commonwealth and Olympic Games cyclist Jon Andrews has moved to town.

Andrews (42), who will be running free clinics on indoor bike trainers next week in Wanaka, won bronze medals in both the 200m sprint and 1000m time trial at the 1990 Commonwealth Games in Auckland.

He went on to ride at the Barcelona Olympic Games in 1992 and at the 1994 Commonwealth Games in Victoria, Canada, before retiring at the age of 27.

His best result during his nearly decade-long competitive cycling career was coming fifth at the 1993 world championships.

He won eight New Zealand titles in the 200m sprint - the most anyone has won consecutively in the history of the sport in New Zealand.

After retiring, Andrews remained involved in cycling in a coaching capacity, ultimately becoming assistant national track coach from 1997 to 1999.

He and his wife Angela Mote-Andrews - also a former top cyclist - built a home in Luggate several years ago after he developed a ‘‘love affair'' with the area, having holidayed in Albert Town for years with his family as a child.

Mrs Mote-Andrews was hired as head of Mount Aspiring College's music department and the couple shifted south permanently from Wellington this year.

Andrews has established an IT business in town, which gives him the flexibility to reconnect with his passion for cycling.

While no longer coaching, Andrews was interested in running weekly Wanaka bike rides and was ‘‘always willing to help people out, give them some ideas and let them benefit from my expertise''.

‘‘It's really easy for me to look at somebody riding a bike and immediately pick up things they could be doing better.

Positioning of their bike, or technique, or aspects of their training that they could change to improve their performance or enjoyment.''

• Jon Andrews' indoor bike training clinics next